Sharjah24: Sheikh Saeed bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Deputy Chief of Sharjah Ruler's Office in Khorfakkan, and His Excellency Dr Abdulaziz Al Musallam, Chairman of the Sharjah Institute for Heritage and Chairman of the Higher Committee of Sharjah Heritage Days, opened the 18th edition of Sharjah Heritage Days (SHD) in the Heritage area of Khorfakkan on Saturday. Also present was Sheikh Majid bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Director of the Sharjah Districts and Villages Affairs Department (SDVAD), Dr Rashid Khamis Al Naqbi, Chairman of the Khorfakkan Municipal Council, and Her Excellency Eng. Fawzia Rashid Al-Qadi, Director of Khorfakkan Municipality.
The event, which is organised by Sharjah Institute for Heritage and running under the slogan “Culture Heritage Gather Us”, will run until 3rd April and will enable visitors to explore the customs and cultures of the region through a series of performances, events, workshops, and seminars. Sharjah Heritage Days organizers are following all instructions, guidelines, and precautionary measures to protect the health and safety of all. Also attending the ceremony was a number of ministers and ambassadors of different countries, as well as researchers and specialists, and members of the Khor Fakkan and Eastern Region community of residents.
Comprehensive tour
Sheikh Saeed bin Saqr Al Qasimi, accompanied by His Excellency Dr Abdulaziz Al Musallam and all the attendees, toured the various parts of the heritage area. They learnt about the activities, crafts and customs that embody the history of Khor fakkan, with its various environments and heritage components that symbolize the local mountain, marine and agricultural life. Activities also include displays of women's crafts, popular food and sweets, and various pottery and heritage collectibles that summarize the history of the city.
The tour also visited the offices of participating government agencies, such as: Sharjah Districts and Villages Affairs Department (SDVAD); Sharjah Police General Command; the Sharjah Social Services Department; Sharjah Museums Authority; the Environment and Protected Areas Authority in Sharjah (EPAA); Sharjah Falconers Club; Sharjah International Marine Sports Club; Sharjah Ladies Club; Khor fakkan Cooperative Fishermen Society; Khor fakkan Culture & Public Arts Association Heritage; Ministry of Community Development - Customer Happiness Center – Khor Fakkan; and Khor fakkan Club; Sharjah Parents Council –Khor fakkan- and memories of the UAE- Ahmed Al Mutawa.
Celebrating heritage
The launch included a program full of events and activities, including various artistic performances to the music of the Sharjah National Band, Organised by the SIH, and dancing shows by the Macedonian Entertainment Troupe.
SHD bringing the whole world under one roof in Sharjah
His Excellency Dr Abdulaziz Al Musallam, Chairman of the Sharjah Institute for Heritage and Chairman of the Higher Committee of Sharjah Heritage Days, said, “Today we arrive in the city of Khor fakkan, where we celebrate the unique facets of local heritage. The event is an opportunity to introduce younger generations to the diversity and richness of local cultural heritage, and connect the past and present, through a rich agenda of activities and workshops. Sharjah Heritage Days is one of the most important titles in the world of heritage, bringing the whole world under one roof in Sharjah. The event represents a hub for the exchange of knowledge, information, and experiences, and provides an opportunity for all to experience and learn about and interact with local and Arab heritage in general.”
His Excellency continued: “We are keen to be present in all regions and cities of Sharjah, in compliance with the directives of His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council, Ruler of Sharjah, to interact with the public through the various activities of Sharjah Heritage Days. Visitors to the activities can enjoy a schedule of vibrant folk performances, art and crafts workshops, competitions for both children and adults, and kiosks serving up Emirati culinary treats, costumes, jewellery, and souvenirs. Sharjah Heritage Days is a revival of folklore, and a restoration of historical roots. The event is a way of educating present generations on the life and stories of their ancestors.”
A vital theatre for the SDVAD
The (SDVAD) is one of the strategic partners of the Sharjah Institute for Heritage. The Department hosts many artistic and heritage events, artistic performances by local and international folk groups, and many cultural heritage competitions and the part of UAE uniforms performances presented by Sharjah Children's Centers. The theatre hosted the poet Ali Al Shuwain, as well as oud performances by Ahmed Al Muhairi.
Museums and their role as incubators for the cultural and civilizational heritage of people
The Academic Committee for the 18th edition of Sharjah Heritage Days, in the Heritage area in Khor fakkan, organized an academic dialogue seminar on museums and their role in society, as well as the challenges they face. The seminar, titled "Museums and their role as incubators for the cultural and civilizational heritage of people", was moderated by Dr Basma Kashmoola, Deputy Academic Director at Sharjah Institute for Heritage, and consisted of a panel made up by Latifa Al Matroushi, Scientific Publication Officer at Sharjah Institute for Heritage, Dr Yahya Saber Al Marzouki, Associate Professor in the Academic Administration of the Sharjah Institute for Heritage. The panel spoke about the definition of the International Council of Museums as a permanent non-profit institution. The museum remains open to the public and serves the community.
Al-Marzouki talked about the methods of displaying museums in light of the exceptional circumstances regarding the emerging coronavirus, as it focused on the experience of the virtual museum through websites, platforms and social media.
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